This study follows the update of the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system for one company and assesses the accuracy of the findings of prior research focused on the implementation ERP system in an update situation.
Prior research can be divided into three main areas: 1) the success factors in the implementation of ERP system, 2) the impact of the ERP system implementation on the organization, and 3) the internal and external economic impacts of the ERP system implementation.
In this study, the effects of an ERP system update were investigated by a personnel survey, interviews, and through internal accounting information and other figures. A large part of the documentation related to the upgrade project was also available.
In the ERP update only little attention was paid to the success factors, but the update could, as a whole, be judged to have been fairly successful, although some technical problems remained over half a year after the update. Impact on the organization was not noticeable during this update - the update speeded up some of the functions in the ERP system, but no other impact was found. The financial impact was consistent with the deterioration of the key figures seen in previous research related ERP system implementation – when looking at the financial statements of the entire company. When the financial performance analysis was limited to the company's older and more profitable parts, no changes in the financial performance measures were noticeable.
Based on the results of this research, it is encouraged to evaluate the extent of the changes in the update project and to take into account the critical success factors presented in the prior ERP implementation research. The findings of this study also provide a basis for criticism for the adequacy of mere published financial statements as a material when measuring the impact of ERP system implementation or update on the company's financial performance.